Electroforming semi-step carousel, and process for using the same

US5543028A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Xerox Corporation · US

Inventors

• William G. Herbert · Ellisville, US
• Patricia Bischoping · Webster, US
• Robert P. Altavela · Webster, US
• Lawrence Kotowicz · Rochester, US
• Peter Schmitt · Erlangen, DE
• Ronald E. Jansen · Stuart, US
• John H. Lennon · Canandaigua, US
• Henry G. Grey · Las Vegas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 23, 1994
• Grant date: Aug 6, 1996
• Expiry date: Nov 23, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25D1/00
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An electroforming/electrodeposition process and apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, a channel defined by the first and second electrodes and at least one electrically nonconductive or poorly conductive shield disposed adjacent at least one electrode. The shield(s) define(s) a region of the channel wherein the surface of a mandrel placed in that region experiences substantially uniform current density. The apparatus may contain additional electroforming/electrodeposition and/or other steps and may be arranged in a carousel apparatus with one or more mandrels to permit continuous operation of the apparatus.